The Dodo Archive

Let's Dance! New Jersey Is One Big Step Closer to Banning Ivory Sales

Break out your dancing shoes and get your trunk swinging: Last week, the New Jersey State Senate unanimously passed historic legislation to ban ivory and rhino horn sales in the state. That's one BIG step closer to an elephant victory!

Senator Raymond J. Lesniak championed the effort by sponsoring bill S.2012, which aims to help save elephants and other animals from their impending extinction by restricting illicit ivory sales in the state.

As the Senator told Elephants DC, the first organization that advocated for the bill, "Illegal ivory threatens the very existence of elephants on the face of the earth. If we get this through and sign it into law, we know it will be an inspiration to other states, Congress, and indeed other countries in the world to follow our lead."

So far, New Jersey is moving the strongest bill in the nation to protect elephants and rhinos from a criminal wildlife trafficking industry that turns a $19 billion profit worldwide each year.

"The illegal trade in ivory products contributes to organized crime, not only throughout the world but also here in the state of New Jersey," Senator Lesniak added.

Up next: New Jersey's groundbreaking bill will soon be up for a vote in the State Assembly, spearheaded by Assemblyman Raj Mukherji. You can learn more about Assemblyman Mukherji and his fight to protect elephants and New Jersey here. Once it passes the Assembly, it'll be up to the New Jersey Governor to sign it into law.

If you have a moment, here's how you can help New Jersey make history too!

Thank New Jersey's Leaders. Send a Twitter, Facebook, or email note to Senator Lesniak to thank him for his heroic support of this important legislation. And then you can do the same for Assemblyman Mukherji: find him on Twitter, Facebook, or email.

Join the Herd and Stay in the Loop. Join our Jersey Strong for Elephants Facebook event page to stay updated of key votes and important opportunities to contact and thank lawmakers for their support.

Be Loud and Proud. Tell everyone you know in New Jersey why this bill is important and why they should ask their legislators to stand behind it, for future generations and a better world.